Martino, Magill Capture Metropolitan Titles

Junior Co-Captains Qualify for Division III National Championships

Tournament Most Outstanding Wrestler Matt Magill poses with his newly won hardware.

Gregg Martino and Matt Magill are headed to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to compete in the NCAA Division III National Championships.

The New York University junior co-captains each captured the title in their respective weight classes at the Metropolitan Conference Championships, which were held Sunday at The College of New Jersey. By virtue of those performances, they both have qualified for the pinnacle event in Division III collegiate wrestling.

It is the second straight year that Martino has qualified for the National Championships. This time he will have company in his teammate Magill.

"We are ecstatic to be bringing two wrestlers to Iowa," said NYU assistant coach Corey Luce. "And we're bringing them with what we think is a great chance to be All-Americans. We are expecting great things at the Nationals. (The Metropolitan Championships) is what we've stressed all along. Our whole season has pointed to this, and our guys really stepped up."

After dominating what was thought of as the toughest weight class at the event, Magill was named the Metropolitan Conference Most Outstanding Wrestler. In the 157-pound finals, he defeated Taylor Green of King's College, 5-4.

"Matt was in the toughest weight class by far," said Luce. "He sprung a big upset in the semifinals, beating a returning All-American. We had a gameplan for Matt to wear him down and put points on the board, and he ended up earning a major decision. Matt wrestled a great tournament overall. He was phenomenal."

At 141 pounds, Martino was just as good as his teammate, navigating through a gauntlet of tough competitors before topping John Barnett of The College of New Jersey, 4-2, to retain his crown.

"Gregg was brilliant," said Luce. "I think he only gave up one takedown the whole tournament. He was aggressive and wrestled his style, with the single-leg attack. He came in here and did everything right."

The duo's performances helped lift NYU to a fifth-place team finish with 40 points. Host TCNJ won the competition with 110 points. Final team standings.

Also placing for NYU at the event was sophomore Jamie Myers, who upset the #2-seed at 197-pounds to finish third.

"We've been saying it for while now, but Jamie does not surprise us anymore," said Luce. "He came into the tournament as the #6 seed, but we knew he was going to place in the top four. He's just getting better and better. His work ethic is great."

The NCAA Division III National Championships take place March 4-6 at Coe & Cornell Colleges in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.